172 Procedures at Municipal Offices
Chapter1Chapter3Chapter2Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter12My Number System
2-1 About My Number System
• A My Number is necessary such as in the following occasions.
i. When you receive a pension, childcare allowance or medical services
ii. When you make or receive overseas remittances
iii. When you open a bank account
• When using My Number, the following will be confirmed:
i. Whether the number is exactly your number
ii. Whether the person of the photo on the card and you are the same person. Therefore,
other person cannot use your My Number.
2-2 My Number Card (Individual Number Card)
My Number Card is a card with IC chip which is necessary for convenient life in Japan.
(1) Contents
Front side: Name, Address, Date of birth, Sex, Phot of yourself facing forward
Back side: My Number
Front side Back side
(2) When to use
• Use it as an identity verification document
• Use it for filing an income tax online
• Use it for applying for childcare allowance or a nursery online
• Use it to get a copy of a certificate of residence at convenience stores (you can also get it
on public holidays. In some municipalities, you may not be able to get a copy of a certificate of
residence at convenience stores.)
• Use it as a health insurance card218
2 Procedures at Municipal Offices
Chapter1Chapter3Chapter2Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter12Please check at which medical institution and pharmacy you can use it
on the following website:
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/index_16743.html
(3) How to apply for a My Number Card
You can apply for a My Number Card when you have decided your address and file a moving-
in notification to the municipality (except for some municipalities).
When you apply for a My Number Card for the first time, you don’t need to pay for the
application.
If you weren’t able to make an application for a My Number Card when you moved into the
new address, you can apply with an application form which will be sent to you later by following
measures.
i. Application using a smartphone
Take a photo with you facing forward with your smartphone, and apply online by
using the QR code on the application form.
ii. Application using a PC
Take a photo showing you facing forward with a digital camera and apply online by
using the prescribed form.
iii. Application by mail
Paste a photo facing forward on an application form, fill the necessary things of the
form, and put it in the post.
iv. Application using an ID Photo Booth (you can only apply from certain booths)
Operate the touch-panel and insert coins, then present the QR code on an application
form to the bar-code reader. Fill in the necessary items and send it with your photo.
v. Apply for a My Number Card at the municipality office (with some exceptions).
Fill in the necessary items on an application form and submit it to the municipal
office where you live.
* If you apply for My Number Card at the counter of the municipal office, you can receive it by mail.
See the following URL for details:
https://www.kojinbango-card.go.jp/en-kofushinse/
(4) How to receive your My Number Card
About one month later, you will receive a postcard from the municipal office. Please collect
your My Number Card by bringing the postcard and necessary documents with you to the
municipal office.
See the following URL for details:
https://www.kojinbango-card.go.jp/en-uketori/192 Procedures at Municipal Offices
Chapter1Chapter3Chapter2Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter122-3
Notes about handling My Number Cards (Individual
Number Card)
• When there is a change in any of the items listed on your My Number Card such as your
name, address and so on, you need to report the matter to the municipal office where you live.
• The validity period of your My Number Card will be expired on the date of expiration of your
period of stay.
• If you renew the period of your stay of residence, please renew your My Number Card at the
municipal office where you live before it expires.
* The validity period of My Number Card will not be renewed automatically even when the period of your stay was
renewed.
* You need to pay attention to the special provision period which will occur upon application for the status of residence.
If it is expected that the period of your stay of residence will not be renewed by the validity date of your My Number
Card, you need to extend the validity date of your My Number Card for two months (special provision period).
After you receive a new residence card, you need to extend the validity date of your My Number Card again until the
new date of expiration of the period of your stay.
See the following URL for details:
https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/jichi_gyousei/c-gyousei/zairyu/english/
basic_resident_registration_card.html
2-4 Other matters
If you need further information, please access following website.
About My Number System
https://www.cao.go.jp/bangouseido/foreigners/
index.html
About My Number Card
https://www.kojinbango-card.go.jp/en/
You can also inquire by telephone.
Call Center
(Mon.-Fri 9:30-20:00 Sat. Sun. and holidays 9:30-17:30)
◎にじゅうまる Japanese
TEL 0120-95-0178
◎にじゅうまる English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese
TEL 0120-0178-27